Yankton

noun

Yank·​ton ˈyaŋk-tən 

1

plural Yankton or Yanktons : a member of a Dakota people of the upper Midwestern United States

Note: The Yankton Sioux and Yanktonai Sioux are distinctly recognized tribes that are also collectively known as Yankton Sioux.

2

: a dialect of Dakota spoken by the Yankton people

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Dakota ihą́ktʰųwą, a Yankton self-designation, literally, "village on the end," from ihą́ke "on the end" + tʰųwą́ "village"; the reason for the name is uncertain

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1